OPTIMIZATION OF CALLUS CULTURE IN CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS

Abstract

The Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) is one of the most important medicinal and ornamental plants in the world that produces numerous indole alkaloids, several of which have an important pharmaceutical uses such as anti cancer compounds like vinblastine and vincristine [1,2]. In this investigation, periwinkle seeds, after sterilization were cultured on B5 medium including 2g/l glutamic acid and %3 sucarose. Leaf and root segments of seedlings were cultured to medium containing various concentrations of NAA and 2,4-D accompanied with BAP and Kin for every 1 month. The samples were subcultured to increase the growth of callus. Parameters of callus growth as well as the growth in fresh and dry matter were investigated after 12 weeks. In this study, the best explants for callus culture and it‘s growth were leaf segments. Also, results show that the B5 medium with 1.5 mg/l 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l BAP were suitable for callus production.